Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Wire: Violence Surges Back as Baghdad Blast Kills 72, Wounds 160

Off the Wire:

EDITOR'S NOTE: Iraqi police now say 72 people have been killed and more than 160 people were injured in Wednesday's blast.

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2009 -- Newswire services this afternoon reported that Iraqi officials have raised the casualty toll in a bombing in Baghdad's main Shiite district of Sadr City to at least 56 killed and more than 100 wounded.

Police said a bomb was hidden under vegetables on a motorized pushcart near a crowded market, according to an Associated Press report.

A local police officer told AP that the 7 p.m. blast was timed to maximize casualties by striking as many shoppers as possible. He said shrapnel struck victims more than 600 yards (meters) away.